So, when we got Murray he was sneezing. We got him some liquid antibiotics and started giving it to him a week after we got him. Tucker started sneezing as well. We started to give it to him as well. (Murray has been on them since last Saturday and Tucker started on Tuesday, I think.) When I spoke with the vet she asked if any of them were coughing. I said no. They weren’t at the time. But then today Tucker started to do something that sounded like dry heaves (which he has done from time to time especially when he sheds and he’s doing that now because of the weather). But since he’s sneezing as well, I’m wondering if it’s a cough.

I guess my question is, does a cat cough sound specifically like a cough? Or might i confuse it with a dry heave? If he is coughing, what could that mean? Do I need to vet him now? Should I continue with the antibiotics and see if they help first? Thoughts?

If it sounds like hairball-retching, it probably is. (Laxatone is good for this, especially in warm weather.) However URIs are highly contagious and really common in shelter animals. Is that what Murray has? I’m surprised the shelter didn’t suggest you keep him isolated from the others until you finished treatment.

Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eyes), discharge from the eyes, loss of appetite, fever and depression. Occasionally, mouth and eye ulcers and excessive drooling of saliva may be seen.

Does Tucker have any other symptoms?

Tucker has been sneezing. He doesn’t have any ulcers that I can see and he seems to be eating just fine. His eyes are clear as well. And there isn’t any discharge from his nose.

He plays constantly (wrestles, rather) with Murray, so i don’t think he’s depressed. I guess he only sneezes really.

I suppose we’ll keep him on the antibiotics and if it doesn’t clear up in a few days, we’ll take him in.

That sounds like a good plan.

You mentioned Tucker crying in another thread, and I was thinking about it last night – Pearl cries a lot. She’s a fragile, stress-susceptible little lady. All of my kids with the exception of Seven DROOL uncontrollably when they’re happy, too. I pet anyone, and get covered in drool!

Well, Tucker appears to be worse. Liquid is flying out when he sneezes and he does appear to be coughing from time to time. He’s still eating a lot and we’ve only given him antibiotics for three days. The little guy has been on them for about 7 and he’s doing better. Do I wait it out still? Do I wait for a couple more days before taking him to the vet? I called Felton/Barc again to ask. Left message. Will wait till they call back.

Poor Tucker!

Pookum is now sneezing as well. My word.

I’d get everybody on antibiotics and keep them separate as much as possible, they can reinfect each other.